Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 7: Oxygen depletion triggered by rampant pollution and rising temperatures led to the death of thousands of fish in the Tsoont Koel stream near the Barbar Shah area of Srinagar, raising concerns about ecological balance and prompting calls for immediate action.
On Sunday morning, locals were shocked to discover a large number of dead fish floating on the stream’s surface. The sight quickly gained attention, sparking fears of potential chemical dumping. Social media amplified these concerns, with various theories circulating. However, officials clarified that the cause was oxygen depletion. “High temperatures cause oxygen depletion in the water, leading to fish fatalities. This is common in the summer and has been witnessed in other water bodies as well,” said an official at the Department of Fisheries. He added that pollution also degrades water quality and affects oxygen availability for fish.
Locals emphasized the urgent need for environmental conservation and effective measures to restore the health of Tsoont Koel, ensuring the safety and sustainability of local aquatic life and the communities relying on it. “In the morning, I saw some dead fish floating, which I initially overlooked. But when I looked carefully, I found the whole body of water filled with dead fish. It is sad. The authorities have ignored this water body as it deteriorates daily. We used to drink and bath in this water during our childhood, but now it is unsafe even for fish. We are all responsible for this,” said a local resident. He urged immediate action to revive the ailing water body.
Local fishermen, whose livelihoods depend on the stream, are equally worried. “I have been fishing for the last thirty years but have never seen such a mass death of fish. This raises doubts about the quality of the fish we catch and later consume. It will not only affect our catch but also our sales, as people will be apprehensive about buying fish from such toxic water,” one fisherman said.
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